Don't Go Milner - It Always Rains In Manchester!

Stewart Downing has told James Milner in The Guardian that the grass isn't always greener after a move.

Downing, who I think is set for a great season after he gets a full pre-season under his belt, has told his team mate, linked incessantly to Manchester City, that the move might not suit our James as he might not get a regular place in the team.

'It will be interesting to see what XI (Mancini) starts with because he's got that much quality in that squad.' Adding, with the number of players at City, it might be tough for James to get a starting place.

'Will he play? I can't think how many midfielders they've got. I think that will be one of the decisions (that he has to consider): 'Do I want to go there and be a bit-part or stay here and play?' That's totally up to him. I am sure he's probably already made his decision.'

Some come on James, sign up with Villa, be a regular and have the team built around you! I believe the players who were at the World Cup return to training around the 25th of this month, I'm sure once he returns this will be sorted nice and quickly. Then again, it all depends if any club can match the asking price that Villa have set.

Don't go James, it always rains in Manchester whereas the sun is always out in Brum!

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Besides, what's not positive about expecting alot more from a player? I would have a very negative attitude if I thought Downing had produced his best form for Villa already. It would also be rather negative to agree that an average player in awful form ought to be in or around the England squad when there are a number of better alternatives.

In fact, I would go as far as saying that it is Downing himself who's being negative. Milner, who is arguably our best player, according to Downing is probably not good enough to feature in Man City's strongest XI. What does that say about our chances of getting even remotely close to Man City this season? I'm not sure Milner himself would take too kindly to what Downing had to say. I imagine Milner has enough belief in his ability to think that he can make a positive contribution at Man City, and personally I think he'd be a versatile and therefore valuable addition to their squad. He would also be at a club with a chance of winning trophies and going places. I hope we do sell Milner, because I think it benefits both Villa and Milner. Not seeling him and facing the prospect of him having just a year left on his contract after this season doesn't bear thinking about.

Milner was our best player last season, do not doubt that for a second. Some people say £25m is alot of money for a player like him . I totally disagree and say its somewhere in the region of £40m plus (this just a personal opinion so don't get hung up on it). Why? The man would die for the cause, He doesnt drink and leads a clean lifestyle, his crossing in my mind came in with more pace and was more accurate than A Young and Downing put together, his sense of where the goal was i would deem more accurate than Gabby at this point in time also eg. goal against Hull last season. If we as Villa fans want to be regarded as serious contenders for a top 4, we need to keep players like him. There was many times last season where everyone else on the pitch seemed a jaded shadow compared to Milner despite the fact he had more game time on the pitch than most of the other players there. I want players like Ireland and Santa Cruz but not in exchange for Milner and the rest of us Villa fans should be saying the same thing.

Ireland? Santa Cruz? Neither player is better than what we've got already. SO long as we get some serious money for Milner and we spend it on talent of a similar calibre then him going won't be an issue. My big concern is that we'll spend whatever we get on more players who'll be just about right for a 7th place finish.

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